From seeing an orthodontist early to adopting proper brushing techniques, there’s a lot that goes into setting the foundation for your child’s smile. Here, kids’ dentists in Singapore share what you can do to help your kids develop good dental habits and keep their teeth in tip-top shape.
Healthy habits – Tips from a kids’ dentist in Singapore
DR PAULINE LEE is a dentist in Singapore who treats young patients at Smilefocus. Here, she shares five key practices parents should impart right from the start.
#1 Two-minute brushing, twice a day
The recommended brushing time for both adults and kids is two minutes, twice a day.
“The longer we brush, the more plaque we remove from more areas in the mouth – and the longer the contact time between our teeth and the fluoride toothpaste. In fact, as long as you’re using the right amount of toothpaste for your child, you can even eliminate rinsing altogether!”
This, however, can be a very long two minutes for many parents with impatient little ones. To help make the brushing process a bit more fun, play your child’s favourite song, set up an hourglass with sand or turn on a fun app like BrushDJ or Chomper Chums. You can also make brushing more exciting by changing things up with a new toothbrush, different flavoured toothpastes or creating a special brushing chart – whatever it takes!
#2 Nothing but water after bedtime brushing
When we sleep, saliva production in our mouth decreases, we stop moving our lips and tongue around, and we don’t swallow as much, explains Dr Lee. So, if we eat or drink anything before bedtime, the risks of developing gingivitis, tooth decay and bad breath increase, as the food or drink particles stick around for a long time.
“Instil this habit right from the start so your little ones would never think to go to bed without their teeth feeling squeaky clean!”
#3 Avoid cavity-causing foods
We all love sweets; but, for your children’s oral and overall health, don’t make things like candy, chocolate, pastries, biscuits and cake a regular part of their daily meals or snack times, says Dr Lee.
“Not only are they cavity-causing, but these empty calories don’t provide useful building blocks for your children’s growing bodies. Instead, pick a favourite day of the week or certain special occasions to allow small indulgences!”
#4 Chew, chew, chew, swallow!
“The longer food stays in your mouth, the more time the bacteria has to start feasting on food particles and produce cavity- causing acid,” says Dr Lee. As a kids’ dentist, she often sees greater incidence of cavities in children who pouch or pocket their food in their cheeks. “Try to remove any distractions – like iPads – during meal times so that your child stays focused!”
#5 Fun at the dental clinic
Getting your child familiar and comfortable with a kids’ dentist is more important than you might think. Dr Lee recommends bringing your kids for their first dental visits no later than the age of one.
“You don’t want your children to think of the dental office as a place they have no choice but to go to when they have a toothache or a cavity to fix! Establish a ‘dental home’ early so that we can work on preventing disease and building your child’s confidence in the clinic. Visits to a kids’ dentist can be fun, comfortable and stress-free!”
Smilefocus
#08-02/03 and #08-07/08 Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Boulevard
6834 0877 | smilefocus.com.sg
See an orthodontist early
Nope – it’s not too soon to see an orthodontist, if that’s what you’re wondering. Early visits to the orthodontist are actually encouraged so that any issues can be identified and managed early on, explains DR CLARA GIBSON, a dentist in Singapore at Expat Dental. In fact, early orthodontic intervention can potentially simplify or shorten treatment time for braces later on.
Generally, orthodontists recommend that a child has their first visit around the age of seven or eight years, she says.
“Although this is likely too soon to start any active treatment, it’s a good time to pick up any issues that may be occurring with dental development. Sometimes, teeth don’t come into the mouth in the correct place; by spotting these issues early, it can make the management easier.”
Some patients, she says, may benefit from a short course of “interceptive orthodontics”. This is a three- to six-month period of treatment around the age of nine years, when your child still has a combination of baby teeth and adult teeth. It’s aimed at correcting issues that can be best managed while your child is actively growing. For example, an overjet – a common jaw issue in children, where the top teeth protrude out too much because of jaw misalignment – should ideally be corrected early, when your child is going through a growth spurt at around 11 to 14 years.
Braces or Invisalign?
It really depends on your child! Although Dr Gibson’s been seeing more children opting for Invisalign over traditional fixed braces, she says there are benefits in both.
“Invisalign has the advantage of being removable, which is great if your child plays a wind instrument or would struggle to keep a fixed brace clean.”
On the other hand, this same feature can result in children being tempted to not wear it for the required 22 hours a day.
“Unfortunately, for some patients, the temptation to remove it is too great and they come to see me with their Invisalign in their pocket!”
That’s why some kids may be best suited to the traditional brace route. “Traditional fixed braces, in metal or white, still provide a really great option for young patients. Plus, the added attraction of customising the colour on their braces at each appointment can be enticing!”
“By visiting your orthodontist early, they can help plan this treatment so that you don’t miss the vital growth period to correct it,” says Dr Gibson. “If no treatment is required at this age, then routine orthodontic treatment with braces generally takes place around the age of 12, when your child has all of their teeth.”
Expat Dental
#08-15/16 Novena Medical Centre, 10 Sinaran Drive | 6397 6718
#01-00 Malacca Centre, 20 Malacca Street 6816 5732
expatdental.com
This article first appeared in the December 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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